Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-16
A BURST OF WAN FEELIyG.
Deteer words Spoken BY Gen. Faar.
child q the q. A. R.

TEE RECENT ORDER DIRECTING TUE RETURN OF BAT
TIE FLAGS TAKEN FROM SOUTHERN REGIMgNN
DENOUNCED AS AN INpIGSrTY 10 THE SOLDIERS WHO
DIED 10 CAPTURE THIN.
Report in New York Papers to-day.
SHAY Goa palsy the hand that wrote the order.
May Goa palsy the brain that conceived n. and
may Goa palsy the tongue that dictated IT. g..
A. r veterans heard these words with bated
breath al the terrible sentence rang out from the
bold commander-in-chfef OF the Grand Army Of
the Republic last night In Association Hail In Har-
lem The occasion was a reception rendered TO
the commander-in-chtef by Alexander Hamilton
Post No. 49,, Grand Army OF the Republic. Wis.,
tors Were present from every Grand Army post OF
TINS city ana vicinity. The gathering was rep
resentative one. Among them were men who
had attained high rank in the ctytl war. post
Commander A. M. Underhin presided. Among
those present were Senior Vice Commapder Laf
Ierty, vice Commander Charles Hull Grant Past
SLase S9mmander Hedges. OF Haverstraw, and
HARDLY WON TROPHIES.
BEFORE the meeting opened IL became known that
Gen. Ross, OF Austin, Tex, had received letter
nom the Acknowledgement OF the United states
AT! Army. stating that the President had approved
the Recommendation, and that the writer had been
instructed by the Secretary OF War to return All
the Confederate flags In the care OF the war De-
70 .ne southern States from whose regt-
the rebellion. Gen. Fairchid entered the hall
Win stern set features. Around him on every side
We're war worn veterans In uniform. Almost WITH
out waiting for the usual courteses the one armed
leader burst forth with the expressions OF grief
ana indignation recorded above. The general told
OF tne news received by telegraph that the Pres,-
dent had approved OF the return OF the s.rebel'
nags and how those flags had been won by the
o oe.sfans 9t tne Grand Army OF the Republic in
open connlct With the enemies OF the nation. The
veterans had placed their trophies in care OF the
war Department. They were intended, he said, TO
Oe kept In the archives OF the nation as
OF hard won fields OF battle He concluded. aiIoy
can the present loyal governors OF the Southern
STATES accept emblems OF treason after their pro.
Iessions OF loyalty TO the Union? Must they not
return them to the Secretary and say that they
have nothing to do with the fiags as the rebel or
dead?" eo ~
An END TO rRATERNAL FEELING
Gen. Fairchild said that he had frequently list
ened 70 sentiments which caused him to bite his
tongue In the effort to maintain sef-control. In
nine months past he had visited G. A. X. posts IA
every state In the North, East anu West. He had
" feelings expressed toward the men who had
looked Into gun barrels OF Northern troops during
wal: AS eommander-in-ehier he had tried to en-
The time had come to speak In the name OF the or.
ganizauon. II he could not protest against IL
as commander-in-chiet OF the Grand Army Of the
hepuOnc ne would resign and protest as a private
citizen. But he was satisfied that $50. 600 e. A. II
veterans would rise as one man I'm solemn nrofesf
asaInSt any Such disposition OF the trophies won
at such fearful sacrifice OF blood
THE POST PROTESTS
After Gen. Fairchild's address resolutions were
adopted that the President OF the United States
having approved the Recommendation that all the
battle flags In the custody OF the War Department
belonging To the southern States In rebellion dur
ins te lte clvl war be returned TO the respective
States which bore them, for such final disposition
as they may determine, this post views with sur
prise the action OF the President and records its
10 aerffi anSb
the captured emblens represent was a sacrifice TO
nperty national union, and TO God; that no senti.
ment OF generosity ana no expression OF magma
nlmity Is involved in the surrender OF these cove
nants OF national honor; that IL only now remains
TO direct that the battle ags OF the Union be dis
tfiDuted among the representatives or the So
called Confederacy, and as a lifting acknowedg-
ment OF the righteousness or the 'losi cause- that
TINS post its dsapprobaton OF this act
held ONCE dtsassOciated from the memories of the
war for the Union.'